Tokyo pub soft-bans customers aged 40 and up to avoid noise complaints
A Japanese pub has imposed a rare soft ban for customers aged 40 and up to avoid noise complaints and give their young guests the best experience. This is an izakaya for younger generations. Despite the restrictions, annotations are written in small print, and older customers may still come in if they are accompanied by someone aged 39 or younger. The chain's PR representative, Toshihiro Nagano, explained that the move was made to match the pub's atmosphere with customer preferences. According to the media outlet, the chain is known for affordable prices, casual designs, and a "boisterous" atmosphere that altogether attract a youthful crowd.
Source:Philippine Star
January 30, 2026 08:09 UTC
Impeachment an 'impossible dream’, says Sotto
Impeachment an 'impossible dream’, says SottoSenate President Vicente Sotto III attends the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Jan. 19, 2026, resuming the probe into alleged anomalous flood control projects involving Public Works officials, lawmakers and contractors. MANILA, Philippines — Following the Supreme Court (SC) finalizing its ruling declaring the impeachment filed against Vice President Sara Duterte unconstitutional, Senate President Tito Sotto called this an overreach on the high court’s end. “Impeachment is now an impossible dream!” Sotto told reporters through Viber. Sotto had already condemned the previous Congress’ handling of Duterte’s impeachment case. The House and the Senate went back and forth with Duterte’s impeachment after the latter questioned the former’s handling of the case.
Source:Philippine Star
January 30, 2026 04:45 UTC
Second impeachment case: VP Sara says lawyers ready
Second impeachment case: VP Sara says lawyers readyA photo uploaded on Dec. 14, 2025, on Facebook shows Vice President Sara Duterte joining her staff from central and satellite offices during the 2025 year-end celebration. MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte said her lawyers have been preparing for another impeachment case that may potentially be filed after February 6, following the Supreme Court's dismissal with finality of her first impeachment case. Duterte said her lawyers discussed preparations for another round of impeachment raps before the Christmas break last year. Attempts to impeach her, the vice president said, will likely continue annually until the end of her term. Asked whether former President Rodrigo Duterte knew about the outcome of her case, the vice president said she did not discuss it with him and avoided talking about impeachment altogether.
Source:Philippine Star
January 30, 2026 04:31 UTC
Polar bears bulk up despite melting Norwegian Arctic: study
The head of the Polar Bear Program, Jon Aars (C) from Norway and Norwegian veterinarian Rolf Arne Olberg (R) measure a big male polar bear in eastern Spitzbergen, in the Svalbard archipelago, on April 17, 2025,. Photo by OLIVIER MORIN / AFP
Source:The Standard
January 30, 2026 04:07 UTC
Peers, Gadecki retain Australian Open mixed-doubles crown
Peers, Gadecki retain Australian Open mixed-doubles crownAustralia's Olivia Gadecki (left) and John Peers pose with the trophy after their victory against France's Kristina Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard during their mixed doubles final match on Day 15 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 30, 2026. MELBOURNE, Australia — Wildcards John Peers and Olivia Gadecki became the first team to retain the Australian Open mixed-doubles title since 1988-89 when they outlasted French pair Kristina Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard on Friday. They came through 4-6, 6-3, 10-8 on Rod Laver Arena to deny France a first mixed-doubles crown at a Grand Slam since Roland Garros in 2004. It was a third Slam mixed-doubles title for Peers, to go with one men's doubles crown, and the second for Gadecki. The last team to retain an Australian Open mixed-doubles title was the Czech Jana Novotna and American Jim Pugh.
Source:Philippine Star
January 30, 2026 03:57 UTC
ASEAN refuses to recognize Myanmar's military-run elections
ASEAN refuses to recognize Myanmar's military-run electionsMembers of Myanmar’s Union Election commission (UEC) count ballots after the closing of polls at a polling station in the third phase of Myanmar’s general election in Yangon on January 25, 2026. (MANILA, Philippines — ASEAN will not endorse Myanmar's military-controlled elections, Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said Thursday, January 29 — the bloc's toughest stance yet against the junta's bid for legitimacy on the international stage. "There is no consensus on endorsing these elections," Lazaro told reporters after a day of talks at ASEAN's first major ministerial meetings this year in Cebu. The elections unfolded as Myanmar's civil war grinds on. Human Rights Myanmar urged the international community to reject the election results, calling for governments to declare the resulting administration unconstitutional and bar elected representatives from participating in summits abroad.
Source:Philippine Star
January 30, 2026 03:41 UTC
Monthly horoscope: Find out what February 2026 has in store for your zodiac sign
Saturn's move to Aries, the sign of its fall or weakness, may also add to the gravity. Related Article What will your love life be like in the coming year? Here's your 2026 love horoscopeAries (March 21 – April 19)Your social sphere takes center stage as you feel a pull toward community and organizations. Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)The winter in your love life is beginning to thaw. Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery with the Astro 2026 Starter Kit, your guide to unlocking the wisdom of the stars.
Source:Philippine Star
January 30, 2026 03:31 UTC
How the House may revise impeachment rules after SC Duterte ruling
House impeachment rules need careful revision as SC denies appealVice President Sara Duterte attends the House Committee on Appropriations' deliberation on the Office of the Vice President's (OVP's) proposed 2026 budget on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives may have to consider revising its rules governing impeachment proceedings after the Supreme Court clarified several technicalities in its final ruling on Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment. "The new House Rules on Impeachment must be carefully worded," Flores said in a statement on Thursday, January 29. However, the Supreme Court also clarified its interpretation of impeachment rules under the 1987 Constitution, many of which were unclear or different in its initial ruling. The procedure must comply with House rules governing impeachment proceedings prior to the filing of the complaint.
Source:Philippine Star
January 30, 2026 03:08 UTC
DOTr opposes carpool proposal on EDSA busway
The Department of Transportation rejected the idea of carpooling on the EDSA busway. "Kaisa namin ang mga commuters sa pagpapatotoo na mabisang programa ang EDSA Busway para sa mas nakararami. Sapat na dahilan ito para manatiling eksklusibo ang EDSA Busway para lamang sa mga bus at mga komyuter," he said. MMDA's carpool proposalThe statements came after the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said it's considering allowing high-occupancy vehicles carrying at least 10 passengers to use the EDSA busway. Currently, vehicles that can use the EDSA busway are Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-authorized buses, emergency vehicles, and the country's top five officials.
Source:Philippine Star
January 30, 2026 03:02 UTC
Men getting twice as much plastic surgery, new data shows
The amount of plastic surgery performed on men has nearly doubled in less than a decade, new data showed on Thursday, Jan. 29. The number of surgical procedures performed on men worldwide increased by 95% between 2018 and 2024, the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery said. However men still only represent 16 percent of all cosmetic procedures, according to the analysis. The United States has the most demand for plastic surgery, with around 45% of the global market in 2025. However cosmetic procedures in the Asia-Pacific region was projected to grow around seven percent during this period.
Source:Philippine Star
January 30, 2026 00:22 UTC
Vietnam hails upgrade of diplomatic ties with EU as 'historical milestone'
Vietnam hails upgrade of diplomatic ties with EU as 'historical milestone'European Union and Vietnamese flags are seen at the government office in Hanoi, Vietnam June 30, 2019. REUTERS/Kha/ File Photo
Source:The Standard
January 29, 2026 17:30 UTC
Chinese spox dares Philippines to expel ambassador, entire embassy media team
Chinese spox dares Philippines to expel ambassador, entire embassy media teamSupporters of China's Premier Li Qiang wave Chinese national flags outside an event held at the Auckland Museum in Auckland on June 14, 2024. But even if their embassy were shut down, Chinese diplomats would keep attacking critics of Beijing, Embassy Spokesperson Ji Lingpeng said in a statement on Wednesday, January 28. "As Ambassador, he bears responsibility for all words and actions of the Chinese Embassy," he said. The spokesperson challenged senators to include himself and the embassy's entire 12-member media affairs and public diplomacy team if they intended to declare any Chinese diplomat persona non grata. "If anyone intends to declare any Chinese diplomat 'persona non grata', please do include myself and the entire 12-member media affairs and public diplomacy team.
Source:Philippine Star
January 29, 2026 17:27 UTC
King Charles III's documentary sets out his philosophy for saving the planet
King Charles III's documentary sets out his philosophy for saving the planetFILE -Britain's King Charles III waves as he arrives for a visit to University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre in London, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)
Source:The Standard
January 29, 2026 17:05 UTC
SC junks House appeal on Sara impeachment
SC junks House appeal on Sara impeachmentMANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld its ruling declaring the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte as unconstitutional for violating the one-year bar rule, denying with finality the motion for reconsideration of the House of Representatives. The fourth impeachment complaint had been endorsed by one-third of House members and transmitted to the Senate on Feb. 6. The SC ruled that the one-year ban is counted from the time an impeachment complaint is dismissed or otherwise rendered no longer viable. EmasculatedIn an interview with “Storycon” on One News, Sarmiento said the SC decision has “dulled” the impeachment process. With the House confronted by new impeachment complaints not only against the Vice President but also the President, lawmakers must adjust their rules to abide by the new rules.
Source:Philippine Star
January 29, 2026 16:55 UTC
Zaldy in Sweden, based on SC petition
Zaldy in Sweden, based on SC petitionRep. Zaldy Co (Ako Bicol party-list) presides over a House Committee on Appropriations hearing on the budget of the Office of the President in September 2023. MANILA, Philippines — Fugitive former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co, who has been implicated in the flood control scandal, was in Stockholm, Sweden this January, based on a petition filed through his lawyers before the Supreme Court (SC). In a petition for certiorari, an apostille dated Jan. 15 shows that Co appeared before a notary public in Sweden, namely Stockholm County Administrative Board notary public Beatrice Gustafsson. Fugitives will be caughtMalacañang yesterday expressed confidence that the fugitives hiding abroad would be brought home following reports that Co is staying in Sweden. Cancel Co’s foreign passportAfter reports surfaced that Co appeared before a notary public in Stockholm, Sweden, the government is seeking to limit his movements in Europe by having his foreign passport cancelled.
Source:Philippine Star
January 29, 2026 16:55 UTC